Molecular and Diagnostic Microbiology: Portfolio Report and Diagnosis Diary

1 Demonstrate the following knowledge and understanding

Detailed knowledge of the scientific basis of molecular and diagnostic microbiology, including current research and applications.

2 Demonstrate the following skills and abilities

Accurately report, analyse and interpret data in molecular and diagnostic microbiology

What am I required to do in this assignment?

This assessment is made up of two tasks, a diagnosis diary and a portfolio report. The whole weighting for this assessment is is given for your report and 10% for diagnosis diary (appendix) submission.

In the diagnostic diary, you can do a flow chart showing how you concluded the identification of the pathogen. You can also do a flow chart of Biochemical tests for Gram-positive and Gram-negative identification. (The model will be given in the tutorial session). You can maintain an electronic or handwritten diary including the experiments which will evidence your learnings and ideas presented in the written report. This diary has to be attached as an appendix in your portfolio report.

You are given 4 case studies and pathogen-associated. For your submission, you are expected to prepare a portfolio (one document) containing four short, independent clinical microbiology reports that each describes the sample source and relevant clinical details, lists the results of the expected tests and interprets/discusses the potential consequences of the results for the ‘patients’. Your report MUST include references from the scientific literature.

Submission Deadline Marks and Feedback

Detailed knowledge of the scientific basis of molecular and diagnostic microbiology, including current research and applications.

Demonstrate the following skills and abilities Accurately report, analyse and interpret data in molecular and diagnostic microbiology

Therefore, you are expected to submit a single report based on the expected tests in which you would carry out for the Identification of causative agents and you have to submit your diagnosis diary as an appendix. The diagnosis diary and expected test results table and references are not included in the word count.

Guidance on the content of this report is given below & will be discussed in the tutorial.

• This assessment will allow you to demonstrate your understanding of relevant microbiological tests used to culture and identify microorganisms
• Your submission should demonstrate your capability to appropriately present and analyse scientific data, by using scientific language and IT resources to effectively communicate your findings
• Your assignment should be structured in the format specified below and in the associated briefing material. References should be cited using UoB/Harvard format and should be submitted via BREO.
• You must ensure that your assignment is written in your own words AND that all information is cited/referenced appropriately. Do not copy from friends, lecture materials, the protocol, websites, books, journal articles, etc. Plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated

You have to submit your diagnosis diary in the appendix. Each section should be clearly labelled. Clarity of English and presentation is essential throughout.

1. SAMPLE AND CLINICAL INFORMATION:

• Present the case study information given to you, including the patient details and symptoms,
• What is the likely disease which is presented in the case study?  suggest what disease each patient could be suffering based on the symptoms and the organism isolated from the patient

• What kind of sample do you request for the identification?  Say Blood or urine or sputum sample (refer to the case study)

• What is the sample collection technique routinely employed?

 Discuss the sample collection technique and state the sample volume, sampling time, sampling container, patient preparation, etc.

• Highlight a key detail for each sample that you think is likely to be an important factor in the case

2. EXPECTED TEST RESULTS:

• How would you process the sample?

Discuss direct microscopy if necessary, inoculating into an enrichment broth, plating on selective and differential media.

• How would you identify the pathogen? What kind of (expected) test can be done for pathogen identification? The data can be presented in a table.

1. Indicate Gram’s reaction of the pathogen
2. Indicate simple biochemical tests such as catalase, oxidase, coagulase; positive or negative (Please note: MALDI and molecular tests can be discussed in your interpretation section). Please watch the test videos available on the BREO folder- ‘Virtual Practical’

Ensure that you include information for each relevant test for each organism. As this is a short report used to convey information, you may not need to write full paragraphs of text. Present in a table (Table not included in the word count) and summarise the table in a couple of sentences.